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A field guide to false teaching
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 22, 2023
This book was pretty good, so far as polemical literature goes.
Here are some of its strengths.
The book recognizes that one cannot argue others into heaven. Ultimately, it’s the work of God in the heart of a person that can bring salvation. It also is fairly charitable and accurate as to the contours of other belief systems as well as the internal diversity of religions like Hinduism and to some extent Buddhism. It also frames itself as a handbook (or Field Guide) for the use of everyday Christians. We need more literature that is designed for boots-on-the-ground Christian life.
Now for the weaknesses.
Not too much to complain about. These other teachings were definitely framed antagonistically, and since the book makes it clear that our job is not to “dismantle” the beliefs of others but to defend our own, these other systems could’ve been framed not as enemies or competitors, but simply as other systems to be reckoned with. I also wish that the connection between the adherents and these false teachings were highlighted more. When we engage with people who disagree with us, what we disagree upon has a lot of meaning in these people’s lives. This meaning can’t be reduced to “why do people subscribe to these false teachings?” There is never a uniform reason, and that question doesn’t get at the full depth of commitment these people have to their own faiths. So reducing interreligious dialogue to differences in doctrine is insufficient for defending our own faith. Just as we know how much our faith matters to us, we would benefit by learning how much faith matters to others.
Here are some of its strengths.
The book recognizes that one cannot argue others into heaven. Ultimately, it’s the work of God in the heart of a person that can bring salvation. It also is fairly charitable and accurate as to the contours of other belief systems as well as the internal diversity of religions like Hinduism and to some extent Buddhism. It also frames itself as a handbook (or Field Guide) for the use of everyday Christians. We need more literature that is designed for boots-on-the-ground Christian life.
Now for the weaknesses.
Not too much to complain about. These other teachings were definitely framed antagonistically, and since the book makes it clear that our job is not to “dismantle” the beliefs of others but to defend our own, these other systems could’ve been framed not as enemies or competitors, but simply as other systems to be reckoned with. I also wish that the connection between the adherents and these false teachings were highlighted more. When we engage with people who disagree with us, what we disagree upon has a lot of meaning in these people’s lives. This meaning can’t be reduced to “why do people subscribe to these false teachings?” There is never a uniform reason, and that question doesn’t get at the full depth of commitment these people have to their own faiths. So reducing interreligious dialogue to differences in doctrine is insufficient for defending our own faith. Just as we know how much our faith matters to us, we would benefit by learning how much faith matters to others.
July 5, 2023
A good little book on false teaching. Three sections cover false teaching inside the church (like legalism and property gospel), cults claiming to be Christian (like Jehovah’s Witness and Mormon), and religions outside the church (like Islam and Hinduism).
The book contains a short presentation of the beliefs history, key terms, errors, and ways to reach them with the Gospel.
The book contains a short presentation of the beliefs history, key terms, errors, and ways to reach them with the Gospel.
November 12, 2022
Excellent readable and easy-to-use resource. Replete with quotes from the original sources, this book by Ligonier quotes false worldviews' own writings and then offers ways Scripture reveals their follies and heralds the truth of the biblical worldview. Very useful, well-researched, footnoted book by the folks at Ligonier.
October 17, 2025
A Field Guide to False Teaching was a short yet helpful summary of some of the most common sects and heresies in the world today. I think its greatest strength lies in the fact that it functions like a quick “pocket guide”—giving you the key facts about a heresy before grabbing coffee with a friend or colleague caught up in that false teaching. With each false teaching, the book seeks to answer a few important questions: What is it? When did it begin? Who are the main advocates for it? What are their core beliefs? Why do people believe this false teaching? How does the Bible contradict their beliefs? And how can I share the gospel with someone who holds to this false teaching or religion? The concise answers to each of these questions provide a solid overview of many religions I had never studied before. It will be helpful to return to specific chapters whenever I’m confronted with a particular religion or worldview and need a quick “refresher” on their core beliefs.
One thing I realised while reading this book is how much I still need to grow in my general knowledge of different religions and cults. If I’m going to be obedient to the command in 1 Peter 3 to “[be] prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you,” and to do so “with gentleness and respect,” then I need to be more well-versed—first and foremost in the Word, but also in the teachings of other religions. I think knowing the key differences between Christianity and whatever worldview or sect I come across will help me share the gospel more clearly, addressing the specific errors that need to be corrected. As Pastor Robin reminded me in the apologetics class, the only reason we engage in apologetics or study other religions is to help us share the gospel more effectively with those we encounter. A part of Christian faithfulness is being well-informed and prepared for the inevitable conversations I’ll have with unbelievers from various worldviews and religious affiliations.
A common thread I noticed while studying all these false teachings is their constant attack on the Bible and on the nature and work of Jesus Christ. Satan is quick to make people question the sufficiency of Scripture. Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, and even Islam all reject the Bible as the only infallible source of truth. Each of these religions has additional revelation from their respective leaders, which reduces the Bible to a crutch to support their heresies rather than a foundation to build their faith upon. By twisting Scripture, these false religions maintain a “ring of truth” that deceives billions but ultimately leads to condemnation, because they reject the true gospel. False teachers are also quick to attack Jesus Christ directly, since His substitutionary death on the cross is at the very heart of Christianity. Both Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that Jesus is a created being, not God Himself. Christian Science, Islam, and Deism all deny the Trinity and thus also stand condemned. By rejecting who Jesus is and what He has done, each of these religions leads its followers astray. Satan is truly cunning in the way he disguises his lies!
In conclusion, A Field Guide to False Teaching helped me better recognise the dangerous errors of many false religions in the world today. It gave me a strong foundational understanding of several worldviews and helped equip me to evangelise more effectively to those caught up in these false teachings.
One thing I realised while reading this book is how much I still need to grow in my general knowledge of different religions and cults. If I’m going to be obedient to the command in 1 Peter 3 to “[be] prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you,” and to do so “with gentleness and respect,” then I need to be more well-versed—first and foremost in the Word, but also in the teachings of other religions. I think knowing the key differences between Christianity and whatever worldview or sect I come across will help me share the gospel more clearly, addressing the specific errors that need to be corrected. As Pastor Robin reminded me in the apologetics class, the only reason we engage in apologetics or study other religions is to help us share the gospel more effectively with those we encounter. A part of Christian faithfulness is being well-informed and prepared for the inevitable conversations I’ll have with unbelievers from various worldviews and religious affiliations.
A common thread I noticed while studying all these false teachings is their constant attack on the Bible and on the nature and work of Jesus Christ. Satan is quick to make people question the sufficiency of Scripture. Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, and even Islam all reject the Bible as the only infallible source of truth. Each of these religions has additional revelation from their respective leaders, which reduces the Bible to a crutch to support their heresies rather than a foundation to build their faith upon. By twisting Scripture, these false religions maintain a “ring of truth” that deceives billions but ultimately leads to condemnation, because they reject the true gospel. False teachers are also quick to attack Jesus Christ directly, since His substitutionary death on the cross is at the very heart of Christianity. Both Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that Jesus is a created being, not God Himself. Christian Science, Islam, and Deism all deny the Trinity and thus also stand condemned. By rejecting who Jesus is and what He has done, each of these religions leads its followers astray. Satan is truly cunning in the way he disguises his lies!
In conclusion, A Field Guide to False Teaching helped me better recognise the dangerous errors of many false religions in the world today. It gave me a strong foundational understanding of several worldviews and helped equip me to evangelise more effectively to those caught up in these false teachings.
March 24, 2023
Great if you're looking for a concise, simplified treatment of orthodox Christian teaching and opposing religions, philosophies, and beliefs.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews